TWO "FIRSTS"

LIFE ON THE FARM

In all the years of not drinking, I have told everything about myself to one or the other. Everything! Then, tonight at an AA meeting, the speaker told of an amateur band of which he was a member during his youth. Ah! Memories—here comes another.

As I think back, between my age of 7-11 (sounds like “Thank Heaven for...”!) a group of musicians drove out to our farmhouse four times a year, forming an orchestra, which played 'easy' classical music like Strauss Waltzes, popular opera tunes, and the three B's (Bach, Beethoven, Brahms).

I recall three doctors played violins, a dentist played trombone, Members of the Cincinnati Symphony orchestra played 'cello, Bass, and the tympanist directed these events.

Two realtors and several lawyers rounded out the group with my mother, pianist (she was really good, a conservatory Peep). I was so impressed with these Peeps, who obviously loved music so much, that they came to our house to rehearse. Always 'rehearse'...never played a concert, to my knowledge.

A few of the attractions were:

Obligatory keg of beer

Truckloads of food

Love of music

Large living-room

Camaraderie

Periodic escape from hardships

and horrible news of WWII...

Some of their wives and lady friends attended. My father—the farmer--told often, stories—sprinkled with humor--from his own life of sightless darkness. He was a popular guy in any group wherever he found himself...maybe because he lived with utter JOY in spite of his handicap.

My mother eventually thought I was 'ready for my debut' with the group, and so I got to sit in from that moment on. I was age 9.

These were my first orchestral experiences. I loved being accepted as part of a working group of adults.

It was my first experience with alcohol, and I also fell immediately in love with beer, but especially Brandy, Bourbon, and Benedictine, my three B's. These matched my other three favorite B's...Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms!

Peep if you are still here, you have just witnessed a turning-point in my life, musically and alcoholically. Seventy years later, the violin continues to be a great part of my life. Thirty years after that first binge, alcohol—my best friend--failed me, no longer supplied the relief I needed.

Alcoholics Anonymous has saved my life.

Music helps to save my soul.

--steveroni

May 19, 2012


Drawing: Google Images

YET ANOTHER DIMENSION...

 This is not a re-post, but IS based on

a former post of mine, on
the steveroni blog

Please picture yourself in the following activities:

Reaching deep down into a feed barrel on the farm...cold winter's night. All is darkness. There, a squealing rat behaves insanely in the bottom of the barrel.


As president of a group of about 100 members at monthly meetings, you keep getting elected year after year--they like your Good Cheer, your Joy of Living, your intelligence, and your wit and humor.


You go fishing with four grandsons. You are the only one who does the 'catching' because you have a special sensitivity for feeling the nibbling fish, and that 'timing' to hook them.


You teach your son and daughter to drive the truck at their age 13 and 14.


You attended University--did not graduate, had to earn a living


You married a crippled lady, raised four children with her


You are voracious reader


Always called upon to untangle knots, whether manila rope, or shoestrings


Are an excellent swimmer


Love baseball


Love children--and they loved YOU--ALL children


You are the neighborhood mechanic


You correspond regularly with many friends around the country


You smile almost continuously, whether in company, or alone


When alone--and always while working--you hum songs to yourself


You are a G R E A T  story-and-joke teller


You love, love, love animals


You like BEER!


You 'see' and 'sense' things beyond normal human capabilities.


Two nuns have written a book about you titled, THE JOY OF LIVING


This man was deaf-blind
This man was my father
He lived--and lives--in somewhat of a 'Fourth Dimension'


I used to stare at him, then tightly shut my eyes and plug my ears. TRY it, for just a few minutes. But don't just stand or sit idle. Get active, walk around the rooms. I am here to announce that you will feel, like transported somewhere, maybe into another dimension.


Next Blog post here (in a couple days) I'll announce a change in content of this blog--back to my roots. (pronounced RUTS?--grin!) Some of you Peeps may choose to not follow. That will be OK. I must be "True to Myself". It is time. Blog name is still same, etc., etc...web address is HERE and name shall continue as "The Fourth Dimension"


Peeps....Love, and PEACE!

Picture Credit

Blind_Angel_by_Rickbw1
as posted on Deviant Art